In our study through the Gospel of Matthew we have started to see a transition in Jesus’ conversation with His disciples to openly include His approaching expected death. Matthew makes this comment in the 16th chapter, “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he … Continue reading →
Here is a 22-point sequence of events for an understanding of the post-tribulation rapture or the second coming of Christ… Jesus returns for His church as promised in John 14:1-3 and detailed in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. The saints who have died in Christ will be resurrected. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. This is the first resurrection mentioned by Jesus in John 5:28-29. Then the saints who are alive will be translated from mortality to … Continue reading →
It is often stated that since the church is not mentioned between Revelation 3:22 and Revelation 22:16, it is proof of a pre-tribulation rapture of the church. When ministers and prophecy teachers make mention of there being no church between Revelation 3:22 and Revelation 22:16, they mean that the Greek word “ekklēsia” is not used. In an earlier post titled “Dispensationalism and Historicism in Eschatology” I had reference my study of examining common arguments in … Continue reading →
In Jesus’ discourse on the sign of the end times, He makes a statement that often raises a question about who is He talking about, that statement is Matthew 24:34. The verse says, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” Over the years of my ministry I have heard people ask, Did Jesus mean that the apostles were to see the second coming? or Were the … Continue reading →
Revelation 3:10 is often cited as evidence for a pre-tribulation rapture the text says, “I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” The text does speak to Lord’s protection for the believer in face of tribulation, but beyond that one has to read into it to conclude it means the pre-tribulation rapture. Here is what we do know … Continue reading →
In recent years I have been going through a theological journey and have been deeply studying the questionable issues in Dispensationalism and Historicism views of eschatology. My own ministerial education has been in the Historicism school of eschatology but I have not been one to make an issue of those who hold to a Dispensationalism school of thought. For some reason I haven’t ran into pre-trib people ridiculing post-trib people, it has always been the … Continue reading →
There is a belief that during the 1000 years people will be born and people will die. Where does this idea of death being part of the saints experience of eternal life, post-rapture, and post-tribulation come from? The answer is Isaiah 65:20 which says “No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall … Continue reading →
In recent months voices have been raised in American Christendom criticizing the pre-trib position regarding our Lord’s return. (Perhaps church leaders are finally getting tired of arguing about Calvinism.) If you ask me if I am pre-trib or post-trib, I will answer “pre-trib” because I am looking for my Lord to return soon so I can meet Him in the air. If you think differently, this article is not about arguing my position or trying … Continue reading →
Here is a 15-point sequence of events for the pre-tribulation rapture… The Lord Jesus Himself descends from His Father’s House where He has been preparing a place for His bride, the church. John 14:1-3 • 1 Thessalonians 4:16 He will come to receive us to Himself. John 14:1-3 He will resurrect those who have died – those who have fallen asleep and whom we will not precede. 1 Thessalonians 4:14-15 He will shout as He descends with … Continue reading →
What should be our attitude toward the return of Jesus and our rapture from the wrath of earth’s judgement? Well here are five Bible verses and my thoughts about that… 1 Thessalonians 1:10 – We are to eagerly be waiting and looking for our Lord’s return. As a child I remember days of anticipation in our house as my mom and my siblings waited for my dad to arrive home from work so we could all … Continue reading →
As a newly saved 18 year old I distinctly remember having a disappointing conversation with a local church pastor who told me “Don’t worry about trying to read Bible prophecy, because you don’t need to know that.” That was sadly funny to me, as I stood there in that particular Charismatic church in Toledo, Ohio, because I later read from 1 Corinthians 14:22 that “tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy … Continue reading →
Last night at our Midweek Fellowship I made mention of Always Be Ready ministry with Charlie Campbell, a Calvary Chapel pastor and a popular apologetic speaker. Charlie’s website is at www.alwaysbeready.com and you’ll find a lot of helpful resources, both free and for sale. If you visit his Rapture page at www.alwaysbeready.com/rapture you’ll find some helpful articles and handouts. Below, I’ve listed some of the free instant download timelines that he offers on his site… • A … Continue reading →
Q: If the Anti-Christ is to be revealed first, before the church is raptured, wouldn’t that favor the post-tribulation position? A: My answer is No. In fact, the verse in question is 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and it actually builds a higher pile of evidence for the pre-tribulation position. The context is that the Thessalonians were being told that they had missed the rapture and “the day of the Lord” had come and the persecution they were facing … Continue reading →
Most of you know that I am always on a lookout for Bible prophecy “timelines” and here is a good one that I want to share with you. It is good for an overview understanding or making sense of end time events as we studied in Revelation. Thanks to Donna for finding it online at http://www.bibletrack.org/cgi-bin/bible.pl?incr=0&mo=5&dy=17 and if you visit the page you’ll find some additional explanations, too.
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